To coincide with “Authentic Shochu Day” on November 1, the “Kagoshima Authentic Shochu Festival in Tokyo 2026” was held over two days—Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 2026—at Hibiya Godzilla Square in Yurakucho, Tokyo.
When you think of Kagoshima, sweet potato shochu comes to mind.
However, there are plenty of other delicious varieties, such as brown sugar shochu and barley shochu.
Here’s our report on the “Kagoshima Authentic Shochu Festival in Tokyo 2026,” which brought together a wide variety of shochu!
A Quick Drink Outdoors! “Kagoshima Authentic Shochu Festival in Tokyo 2026” Takes Place
The “Kagoshima Authentic Shochu Festival in Tokyo 2026 ” was held at Hibiya Godzilla Square, right in Godzilla’s backyard
Since it was the weekend, the venue was bustling with people who had come for a “quick drink” after work.
It’s great to be able to taste authentic shochu right here in Tokyo, isn’t it?
A DJ booth was set up to liven up the atmosphere!
I bought three tickets for 500 yen to enjoy a quick drink.
Each ticket can be exchanged for one drink.
By the way, it comes with mineral water as a chaser.
Sixteen sake breweries were exhibiting this time.
- Amami Shurui Co., Ltd.
- Iwakawa Brewing Co., Ltd.
- Oishi Shuzo Co., Ltd.
- Kikai Island Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
- Komasa Brewing Co., Ltd.
- Satsuma Shuzo Co., Ltd.
- Satsuma Musou Co., Ltd.
- Sanwa Shuzo Co., Ltd.
- Shirogane Shuzo Co., Ltd.
- Tasaki Brewery Co., Ltd.
- Teien Shuzo Co., Ltd.
- Hamada Shuzo Co., Ltd.
- Honbo Shuzo Co., Ltd.
- Machida Shuzo Co., Ltd.
- Yamamoto Shuzo Co., Ltd.
- Wakashio Shuzo Co., Ltd.
A total of 44 brands were on display!
The banners look so cool fluttering in the wind!
I even spotted a “Daiya-me” banner from Hamada Shuzo!
Upon entering the venue, you’ll find a long row of shochu brewed in Kagoshima.
It’s a sight that any sake lover will find irresistible.
You can buy any sake you like, such as Hamada Shuzo’s authentic sweet potato shochu “DAIYAME” and the botanical-style barley shochu “CHILL GREEN spicy & citrus ”!
Hamada Shuzo’s “Kaido”
This authentic sweet potato shochu, brewed using traditional black koji, won first place in the “Kagoshima Shochu General Election 2025” and lets you enjoy the rich aroma of sweet potatoes.
With its subtle sweet potato aroma and crisp, clean flavor, it pairs perfectly with any dish.
This is a classic must-try for anyone who wants to experience Kagoshima sweet potato shochu.
Next up is “Tien Envelesida” from Tien Shuzo.
The “Music-Infused” label is sure to pique your curiosity!
“Music-Infused” refers to a brewing method where the shochu is aged while listening to famous classical pieces by composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Vivaldi.
It’s said to have begun when the brewery staff discovered that fermentation accelerated only in the tanks closest to the speakers.
With the mellow mouthfeel unique to a shochu aged for three years in its entirety and the sweetness from oak barrels, it offers a fruity flavor.
Although it’s a sweet potato shochu, it pairs perfectly with cheese and nuts.
You can enjoy a sweet potato flavor unlike anything you’ve tasted before.
Satsuma Shuzo’s “Saikyō” is a sweet potato shochu made using sake yeast, the same type used in Japanese sake.
Before taking a sip, savor the aroma.
A refreshing scent reminiscent of green apples wafts up your nose.
They say the best way to enjoy it is mixed with sparkling water, like a mojito.
The crisp, refreshing sensation seems like a perfect match!
Many other unique, authentic shochus were on display as well.
Iwakawa Brewery’s “HAZUMI” is—believe it or not— a hybrid blending purple sweet potato shochu and barley shochu!
It’s a luxurious shochu that takes the best of both sweet potato and barley—two flavors that can often be hard to choose between.
From Kikai Island Sake Brewery on Kikai Island—located in the northwestern part of the Amami Islands—come “Kikai Island,” “Kikai Island Rough Filtration,” and “Captain Kid.”
Produced through atmospheric distillation that brings out the full flavor, taste, and richness of all ingredients, you can truly savor the sweetness and depth of brown sugar.
Machida Shuzo’s “Three-Year Aged Amami no Mori,” “Ichimura,” and “Sato no Akebono Genshu”
All are Amami brown sugar shochu.
Brown sugar shochu is permitted to be produced only in the Amami Islands.
It is characterized by a unique flavor featuring a deep sweetness and richness derived from brown sugar produced in Okinawa Prefecture.
In addition to shochu, the event featured a variety of other items related to Kagoshima!
Snacks—an essential accompaniment to alcohol—were on sale.
With a lineup that includes satsuma-age snacks and charcoal-grilled chicken, there were plenty of items that made it hard to resist having another drink!
Glasses designed to enhance your shochu experience.
When you think of Kagoshima, you can’t help but think of Saigo Don!
There were bags brimming with shochu love, as well as furoshiki wrapped around shochu maps.
It’s a great idea to take these with you as you explore Kagoshima.
A grand raffle was held, and you could enter by purchasing a bottle of shochu.
It’s great that even the E Prize includes a shochu glass or a mini bottle!
Near the venue is the “Kagoshima Yurakukan,” which sells Kagoshima specialties and other items, so you can buy authentic shochu there anytime, even outside of the event.
On the second floor, you’ll find “Yushoku Buta-sai Ichiniisan,” where you can savor Kagoshima-produced black pork paired with sweet potato shochu or brown sugar shochu.
All in all, it was a thoroughly satisfying event where I got to learn about and taste authentic shochu from Kagoshima, the home of shochu!
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